Siliguri, 05th March: A youth was arrested with a firearm and a live ammunition in Siliguri on the night of Holi after plainclothes police from Pradhan Nagar Police Station foiled an alleged plan of illegal arms trafficking in the SNT area near the Siliguri Junction.
According to police sources, the accused has been identified as Mukesh Vishwakarma, a resident of Sikkim. Acting on a tip-off received late at night, plainclothes police launched an operation in the area and detained the suspect on the basis of suspicion. During a search, officers recovered a country-made pistol and one live ammunition from his waist.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that the accused had allegedly brought the firearm from Jharkhand and was planning to sell it in the SNT area on the same night. However, police managed to arrest him before the deal could take place.
Sources further stated that with the West Bengal Assembly elections approaching, the illegal arms trade in Siliguri has become a matter of concern. In view of the upcoming elections, Siliguri Metropolitan Police has intensified surveillance and security measures across the city.
In the past 15 days, plainclothes police of Pradhan Nagar Police Station have arrested three individuals and recovered three firearms along with live ammunition in separate operations.
The accused was produced before the Siliguri court on Thursday with a plea for police remand. Police sources also revealed that the arrested accused had previously been arrested in several criminal cases. Further investigation into the matter is currently underway.